Short had been led to believe the former Rangers manager wanted to stay as he had been talking so positively to him about the club and what needed to be done to avoid another battle for survival.

Dick Advocaat sheds tears after keeping Sunderland in the Premier League

Director of Football Lee Congerton was so confident that he did not have a shortlist drawn up for other potential candidates when Advocaat informed them he would keep a promise made to his wife to retire from club management.

But Advocaat changed his mind following another plea from Congerton this week, who has promised there will be a lot of money to spend this simmer, in order to persuade him to remain on Wearside.

Although Advocaat may well have only agreed to sign a 12-month rolling contract after learning he would not get the chance to take over the Belgium national team, it is excellent news for the Black Cats.

The Telegraph understands Advocaat’s decision to commit himself to at least another 12 months at the Stadium of Light was also influenced by the fact several players – including captain John O’Shea and striker Jermain Defoe – contacted him to express their sadness he had decided to leave.

“After a lot of discussions with Ellis and Lee, they convinced me that I am the right man for the club,” said Advocaat. “They kept on asking me to stay.

“It was a great feeling to be part of Sunderland in the last few months, the experience was something very special and after talking with Lee, Ellis and of course my family, we all agree it is the right decision.”

Advocaat was brought in on a short term contract in March after Sunderland sacked Gus Poyet following a 4-0 home defeat to Aston Villa. The Black Cats collected 12 points from a possible 27 under Advocaat, which was enough to guarantee their place in the top flight with a game to spare.

The resurrection of the plan to make Advocaat their permanent manager is thought to have been down to Congerton, who went back to him at the start of the week and asked him to reconsider.

Congerton knew Advocaat had wanted to stay and had only turned it down as he had promised his wife he would not take another club job.

When David Moyes and Sam Allardyce both refused to consider taking the job, Congerton was unimpressed with any of the other options and pointed that out to Advocaat.

“Dick was always our number one choice and we were determined we weren’t going to take 'no' for an answer,” said Congerton. “I have been in constant contact with him over the last two weeks and I'm absolutely delighted that he has agreed to return.

“In just a short space of time he has bought into the club wholeheartedly and understands exactly what we need now in order to move forward. We have a lot of work to do to prepare for the season ahead and that starts in earnest now.”

Short, who will have to bankroll the spending spree promised to Advocaat added: “Dick’s credentials in football are top class and we saw what an impact his vast knowledge and experience had on our team and the club as a whole in just two months.”